Since 1989, the City Parks Foundation has been providing children, ages 3 through 17, with free programs in sports, education and the arts.

“One of the things that is so great about New York City in the summertime is the plethora of free arts events that you can go to,” Freedom Bradley, director of theater programs for the City Parks Foundation, said.

This year children across the five boroughs will be treated to dance performances, storytelling, poetry readings, tennis and golf.

Puppetmobile, the oldest company of professional puppeteers, helped kick off the fun with a performance of “Bessie’s Big Shot” — the story of a cow’s dreams of joining the circus — in Rufus King Park in Queens.

“A lot of the kids have not seen a puppet show. So, a lot of kids have never seen something like this before and it’s funny how much they love it,” puppeteer Sinna Vesterburg said.